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Chrysler has introduced the world’s first plug-in hybrid minivan and its $43,090 starting price including destination nets to $35,590 once a $7,500 federal tax credit is factored.

Two trims – the Premium and $46,090 Platinum – promise part-time all-electric operation of 30 miles from a 16-kWh battery stored under the middle row seats.

Officially the new family haulers’ name is “Pacifica Hybrid” – not plug-in hybrid which is what they really are – because Chrysler did not want to complicate things for the uninitiated among its buyer demographic. The operations of plugging in, and its relation to an all-electric vehicle were believed potentially intimidating to some, and the friendly old term “hybrid” has perceptibly better connotations from a marketing perspective.

As a word to any leery customers Chrysler may be concerned not to fluster, once the 30 more-or-less miles of EV driving run out, the vehicle has a gas engine ready to propel it for up to 530 total miles total range. And, although the vehicle is a “plug-in” type, it can operate as a regular hybrid even without plugging in, though that of course would defeat a big part of the point.

And importantly for those already in the know, the pricing for two relatively well-equipped Pacifica Hybrids means potentially greater attainability for families needing a capacious minivan – a type of vehicle originated by the automaker over 30 years ago.

So while this is Chrysler’s relatively late entry to the plug-in market, it comes bearing gifts that plug-in advocates have repeatedly asked other manufacturers for, but until now their requests have gone unmet.

What’s more, the 30-mile range beats upscale European luxury SUVs that might strain to do more than 14 miles on the U.S. EPA cycle, and even tops established plug-in hybrids closer to the mainstream price level.

The 53-mile electric range Chevy Volt remains unchallenged as the highest range full-range and power plug-in gas-electric car, but the Pacifica – built on a revised platform – otherwise does well on this critical point as it opens a new segment.

Two Trims

Based on the conventional non-hybrid Pacifica – which is the name that retired the former Town and Country – the Pacifica Hybrids are equipped at better and best levels akin to the Pacifica Touring L and Touring L Plus.

Baked in are hybrid-exclusive features such as a smartphone app relaying vehicle information like charge status and scheduling, and charging station locations. An “efficiency coach” helps fine tune more efficient driving.

Priced Within Reach

The absolute base-level non-hybrid Pacifica LX starts at $28,595 plus $995 destination, so the Pacifica Hybrids, while priced relatively in line with competitors, are a premium offering.

Other Pacificas do come closer in price however, including the Pacifica Touring-L, at $34,495, plus $995 destination, and Pacifica Touring-L Plus, at $37,895, plus $995 destination. The premo Pacifica Limited starts at $42,495, plus $995 destination – $400 more than the Pacifica Hybrid and $2,100 less than the Pacifica Hybrid Platinum.

With the $7,500 federal credit – and $1,500 in California or as the case may be with other state incentive programs – the Pacifica Hybrids actually come inline with the upper trim levels closest to their equipment level.

It would thus appear a closer look would be warranted, and meanwhile the advocates out there – you know who you are – may hope this move by Fiat-Chrysler might provoke other automakers to follow with larger plug-in vehicles of their own.